BheRizeR'S Blog

Dolby and EA enhance voice chat experience in hit MMO racer

Black Box, an EA studio, and Dolby Laboratories, Inc. today announced that Need for Speed World, the massively multiplayer online (MMO) action racing game will incorporate Dolby Axon voice chat technology before the December holiday season. Need for Speed World combines the rush of illicit street racing, deep RPG style progression, and vehicle customization into an immersive, socially connected experience. The game will be featured at Penny Arcade Expo (PAX 2010) in Dolby’s booth, number 612, in the Washington State Convention Center, September 3–5, 2010.

“In Need for Speed World, we’re able to continually update the game with new technology to provide the best MMO racing experience for our players,” said Stephane Grefford, Producer, Need for Speed World. “Working with Dolby Axon, we can give gamers a seamless channel of communication enabling in-game collaboration towards becoming the top racer. We’re excited to be the first title in North America to incorporate Dolby Axon to help enhance our players’ overall racing experience.”

“Dolby Axon helps ensure that communication among team members happens clearly and quickly when racing at over 100 miles an hour in Need for Speed World,” said Matt Tullis, Marketing Director, Games, Dolby Laboratories. “We’re really excited to be working closely with EA in bringing a new level of voice chat to their game.”

By integrating Dolby Axon into online game titles, game developers can provide players with a new level of realism in online gaming:

• Improved audio chain processing (noise suppression, echo suppression) for clear voice communication
• Surround sound voice chat over stereo headsets, stereo speakers, and 5.1 playback systems delivering realistic and exciting in-game communication with teammates
• Compatibility with any stereo headset, enabling gamers to experience clear, crisp voice quality without specialized equipment

Need for Speed World is being developed by Black Box, an Electronic Arts studio and is available online for the PC. More information and details on the game can be found at the Official Website or follow us on Twitter at NeedforSpeed.

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The Highest Rated Need for Speed Game Wins Praise from Critics Worldwide for Innovative ‘Autolog’ Network That Delivers Unprecedented Social Competition

Criterion Games, a studio of EA today announced that during the two weeks of its availability (from Oct 26 – Nov 9), more than two million players took to the streets of Seacrest County in the Need for Speed Hot Pursuit demo. Players competed as both cops and racers in two events while sampling Hot Pursuit’s revolutionary social network, Need for Speed Autolog, which seamlessly connects players with their friends while automatically tracking and comparing each person’s performances. Autolog serves up challenges based on what their friends have been doing, creating a simple, yet brilliantly dynamic social-gaming experience.

Some facts about the Need for Speed Hot Pursuit demo:

• More than 2M downloads on console within two weeks -- the fastest downloaded Need for Speed demo in history
• More than 700,000 posts to the Speed Wall
• More than 5M Autolog Recommendations played between friends
• 54M miles of road raced
• 20M cop busts executed

With still one week until launch, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit is already receiving critical acclaim worldwide scoring a perfect 10 out of 10 in PlayStation: The Official Magazine and IGN.com calling it “pure over-the-top driving entertainment”. In the UK, GamesMaster magazine rated the game at 93, saying that Hot Pursuit is “gaming’s greatest car chase.” The game has earned an average score of 91 on Metacritic.com and is the highest rated game in the Need for Speed series history.

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit will be available November 16 in North America, November 18 in Europe and November 19 in the UK for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and PC. The Limited Edition can be pre-ordered now on all platforms to gain exclusive content at no extra cost, with participating retailers worldwide (while supplies last). Need for Speed Hot Pursuit will also be available on the Wii and is being developed by Exient.*

For more of the latest news and information on Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, please visit the Official Website, “like” the game on the Need for Speed Facebook Page at and follow the game on Twitter at needforspeed.

* Autolog not available on the Wii